Review MediaTek Dimensity 9400 vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 4

Redaksi

Updated: 21 Jan, 2025 • • min read

Table of Contents

FOKUS NEWS TEKNO - Mobile processors are the brains of our smartphones, tablets, and other devices. They determine how fast, smooth, and efficient our devices can run various tasks, such as browsing the web, playing games, streaming videos, and using AI applications. In this article, we will compare two of the most powerful and advanced mobile processors that are expected to power some of the high-end devices in 2025: the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. We will unravel the differences and similarities between these two chips in terms of their technical specifications, performance benchmarks, notable features, industry relevance, and expert opinions.

Understanding the MediaTek Dimensity 9400

The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 is the successor of the Dimensity 9300, which was announced in October 2023 as the first chip to use the TSMC 3nm process. The Dimensity 9400 is also based on the same 3nm process, which offers a speed improvement of up to 18% or a power reduction of up to 32% compared to the 5nm process. The Dimensity 9400 has a total of 22.7 billion transistors, making it one of the most complex chips ever made.

Technical specifications

CPU architecture and cores: The Dimensity 9400 has an octa-core CPU configuration, consisting of four Cortex-X4 cores and four Cortex-A720 cores. The Cortex-X4 is a custom core designed by MediaTek, which can reach up to 3.25 GHz. The Cortex-A720 is a high-performance core based on the ARMv9.2-A instruction set, which can run up to 2.85 GHz. The Dimensity 9400 does not have any efficiency cores, which are usually used for light tasks and power saving. Instead, it relies on the dynamic power management system to adjust the frequency and voltage of the cores according to the workload.
GPU capabilities: The Dimensity 9400 has a Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 GPU, which is the latest generation of the Valhall architecture from ARM. The GPU has 12 execution units and 192 shading units, resulting in a total of 2304 shaders. The GPU can run up to 1.3 GHz, delivering up to 4730.8 GFLOPS of peak performance. The GPU also supports ray tracing, which is a technique that simulates realistic lighting and shadows in 3D graphics.
Manufacturing process: The Dimensity 9400 is manufactured using the TSMC 3nm process, which is the most advanced process technology available in the market. The 3nm process allows for a 60% increase in logic density, meaning that more transistors can be packed into the same area, resulting in higher performance and lower power consumption. The 3nm process also enables the integration of more features and functions into the chip, such as AI, connectivity, and power efficiency.

Performance benchmarks

Speed and efficiency: The Dimensity 9400 is expected to be one of the fastest and most efficient mobile processors in the market, thanks to its 3nm process and custom cores. According to a leak from Digital Chat Station, the Dimensity 9400 can score up to 2224 points in single-core and 7487 points in multi-core tests on Geekbench 6, which are about 2% and 3% higher than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, respectively. The Dimensity 9400 can also score up to 2238K points on AnTuTu 10, which is about 14% higher than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The Dimensity 9400 is also expected to be more power efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, as it does not have any efficiency cores that consume extra power.
Multitasking capabilities: The Dimensity 9400 has a large L3 cache of 18 MB, which is 6 MB larger than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The L3 cache is a fast memory that stores frequently used data and instructions, which can improve the performance and responsiveness of the processor. The Dimensity 9400 also has a dual-channel LPDDR5X memory controller, which can support up to 16 GB of RAM with a maximum bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Dimensity 9400 can handle multiple apps and tasks simultaneously without any lag or slowdown.
Gaming performance: The Dimensity 9400 has a powerful GPU that can deliver stunning graphics and smooth gameplay on high-end devices. The Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 GPU can run popular games such as PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings and frame rates, with support for ray tracing and HDR effects. The Dimensity 9400 also has a HyperEngine 4.0 gaming technology, which optimizes the CPU, GPU, memory, and network performance for the best gaming experience. The HyperEngine 4.0 also supports features such as 5G call and data concurrency, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and 144 Hz refresh rate.

Notable features

AI capabilities: The Dimensity 9400 has a powerful AI processing unit (APU) that can handle various AI tasks, such as face recognition, voice assistant, image enhancement, and video editing. The APU can support up to 7 billion parameters of AI models, which is the highest in the industry. The APU can also integrate AI models directly into the device, which improves the data security, real-time performance, and user personalization. The Dimensity 9400 also supports features such as AI camera, AI voice, AI video, and AI gaming.
Connectivity options: The Dimensity 9400 has a 5G modem that supports both sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands, as well as dual SIM dual 5G standby. The 5G modem can achieve up to 7.5 Gbps of download speed and 3.67 Gbps of upload speed, which are the fastest in the market. The 5G modem also supports features such as 5G carrier aggregation, 5G dual connectivity, 5G ultra save, and 5G smart switch. The Dimensity 9400 also supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, GPS, and FM radio.
Power efficiency: The Dimensity 9400 has a dynamic power management system that adjusts the frequency and voltage of the CPU and GPU cores according to the workload and temperature. The system can also switch between the 3nm and 5nm modes, depending on the power and performance requirements. The Dimensity 9400 also has a MediaTek UltraSave technology, which reduces the power consumption of the 5G modem by up to 40%. The Dimensity 9400 also supports features such as fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse charging.

Exploring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is the successor of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was announced in December 2023 as the first chip to use the Qualcomm Oryon CPU cores. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is also based on the Qualcomm Oryon CPU cores, but with a higher clock speed and a different core configuration. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is also manufactured using the TSMC 3nm process, which offers the same benefits as the MediaTek Dimensity 9400.

Technical specifications

CPU architecture and cores: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has an octa-core CPU configuration, consisting of two Cortex-X4 cores and six Cortex-A720 cores. The Cortex-X4 is a custom core designed by Qualcomm, which can reach up to 3.3 GHz. The Cortex-A720 is a high-performance core based on the ARMv9.2-A instruction set, which can run up to 2.96 GHz. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 does not have any Cortex-A520 cores, which are usually used for efficiency and power saving. Instead, it relies on the Qualcomm Kryo 800 power management system to optimize the performance and battery life.
GPU capabilities: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has an Adreno 750 GPU, which is the latest generation of the Adreno 700 series. The GPU has 2 execution units and 1536 shading units, resulting in a total of 3072 shaders. The GPU can run up to 770 MHz, delivering up to 4730.8 GFLOPS of peak performance. The GPU also supports ray tracing, which is a technique that simulates realistic lighting and shadows in 3D graphics.
Manufacturing process: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is manufactured using the TSMC 3nm process, which is the same process used by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. The 3nm process allows for a 60% increase in logic density, meaning that more transistors can be packed into the same area, resulting in higher performance and lower power consumption. The 3nm process also enables the integration of more features and functions into the chip, such as AI, connectivity, and power efficiency.

Performance benchmarks

Speed and efficiency: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is also expected to be one of the fastest and most efficient mobile processors in the market, thanks to its 3nm process and custom cores. According to a leak from Ice Universe, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can score up to 2178 points in single-core and 7256 points in multi-core tests on Geekbench 6, which are about 2% and 3% lower than the MediaTek Dimensity 9400, respectively. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can also score up to 1965K points on AnTuTu 10, which is about 14% lower than the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is also expected to be more power efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, as it uses a smaller process and a different core configuration.
Multitasking capabilities: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a smaller L3 cache of 12 MB, which is 6 MB smaller than the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. The L3 cache is a fast memory that stores frequently used data and instructions, which can improve the performance and responsiveness of the processor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also has a dual-channel LPDDR5X memory controller, which can support up to 16 GB of RAM with a maximum bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can handle multiple apps and tasks simultaneously without any lag or slowdown.
Gaming performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a powerful GPU that can deliver stunning graphics and smooth gameplay on high-end devices. The Adreno 750 GPU can run popular games such as PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings and frame rates, with support for ray tracing and HDR effects. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also has a Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gaming technology, which optimizes the CPU, GPU, memory, and network performance for the best gaming experience. The Snapdragon Elite Gaming also supports features such as 5G call and data concurrency, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and 144 Hz refresh rate.

Notable features

AI capabilities: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a powerful AI engine that can handle various AI tasks, such as face recognition, voice assistant, image enhancement, and video editing. The AI engine can support up to 6 billion parameters of AI models, which is slightly lower than the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. The AI engine can also integrate AI models directly into the device, which improves the data security, real-time performance, and user personalization. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also supports features such as AI camera, AI voice, AI video, and AI gaming.
Connectivity options: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a 5G modem that supports both sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands, as well as dual SIM dual 5G standby. The 5G modem can achieve up to 7.5 Gbps of download speed and 3.67 Gbps of upload speed, which are the same as the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. The 5G modem also supports features such as 5G carrier aggregation, 5G dual connectivity, 5G ultra save, and 5G smart switch. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, GPS, and FM radio.
Power efficiency: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a Qualcomm Kryo 800 power management system that optimizes the performance and battery life of the CPU and GPU cores. The system can also switch between the 3nm and 5nm modes, depending on the power and performance requirements. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also has a Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 technology, which reduces the power consumption of the 5G modem by up to 35%. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also supports features such as fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse charging.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Now that we have explored the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in detail, let’s compare them side by side and see how they stack up against each other in terms of their features and performance.

Side-by-side feature analysis

Processing power: Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 have an octa-core CPU configuration, consisting of two Cortex-X4 cores and six Cortex-A720 cores. However, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 has a slightly higher clock speed for both the Cortex-X4 and the Cortex-A720 cores, which gives it a slight edge over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of processing power. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 also has a larger L3 cache of 18 MB, which can improve the performance and responsiveness of the processor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, on the other hand, has a smaller L3 cache of 12 MB, which may limit its performance and responsiveness. Therefore, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 wins this round by a small margin.
Graphics performance: Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 have a powerful GPU that can deliver stunning graphics and smooth gameplay on high-end devices. Both the Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 GPU and the Adreno 750 GPU have the same number of shaders (2304) and the same peak performance (4730.8 GFLOPS). However, the Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 GPU has a higher clock speed of 1.3 GHz, while the Adreno 750 GPU has a lower clock speed of 770 MHz. This means that the Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 GPU can run faster and more efficiently than the Adreno 750 GPU. Therefore, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 wins this round by a moderate margin.
AI capabilities: Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 have a powerful AI engine that can handle various AI tasks, such as face recognition, voice assistant, image enhancement, and video editing. However, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 has a slightly higher AI model parameter support of 7 billion, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a slightly lower AI model parameter support of 6 billion. This means that the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 can run more complex and advanced AI models than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Therefore, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 wins this round by a small margin.
Connectivity options: Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 have a 5G modem that supports both sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands, as well as dual SIM dual 5G standby. Both the 5G modems can achieve up to 7.5 Gbps of download speed and 3.67 Gbps of upload speed, which are the fastest in the market. Both the 5G modems also support features such as 5G carrier aggregation, 5G dual connectivity, 5G ultra save, and 5G smart switch. Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also support Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, GPS, and FM radio. Therefore, this round is a tie, as both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 have the same connectivity options.
Power efficiency: Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are manufactured using the TSMC 3nm process, which offers a speed improvement of up to 18% or a power reduction of up to 32% compared to the 5nm process. Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also have a dynamic power management system that adjusts the frequency and voltage of the CPU and GPU cores according to the workload and temperature. Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also have a power saving technology that reduces the power consumption of the 5G modem by up to 40% and 35%, respectively. Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 also support features such as fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse charging. Therefore, this round is also a tie, as both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 have the same power efficiency.

Real-world implications

Based on the side-by-side feature analysis, we can see that the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 has a slight advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of processing power, graphics performance, and AI capabilities, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a slight disadvantage in terms of clock speed and cache size. However, these differences may not be noticeable in real-world scenarios, as both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can provide a fast, smooth, and efficient user experience on high-end devices. Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can handle multiple apps and tasks simultaneously without any lag or slowdown, as well as run popular games at high settings and frame rates, with support for ray tracing and HDR effects. Both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can also support various AI tasks, such as face recognition, voice assistant, image enhancement, and video editing, with high accuracy and speed.

Industry Relevance

The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are not only powerful and advanced mobile processors, but also influential and relevant in the tech industry. They represent the latest trends and innovations in the mobile processor market, as well as the impact and influence on the consumer choices and preferences.

Current market trends

Devices utilizing MediaTek Dimensity 9400: The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 is expected to power some of the high-end devices from various brands, such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, and OnePlus. Some of the rumored devices that will feature the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 are the Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra, the Oppo Find X5 Pro, the Vivo X70 Pro Plus, the Realme GT 3 Pro, and the OnePlus 11 Pro. These devices are expected to offer premium features and specifications, such as 144 Hz AMOLED displays, 108 MP cameras, 120 W fast charging, and 12 GB of RAM.
Devices featuring Snapdragon 8 Gen 4: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is also expected to power some of the high-end devices from various brands, such as Samsung, Sony, LG, Motorola, and Google. Some of the rumored devices that will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Sony Xperia 1 IV, the LG V70 ThinQ, the Motorola Edge 3, and the Google Pixel 7. These devices are also expected to offer premium features and specifications, such as 144 Hz AMOLED displays, 108 MP cameras, 100 W fast charging, and 12 GB of RAM.

Impact on consumer choices

Price considerations: The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are both expected to be expensive mobile processors, as they use the most advanced process technology and offer the highest performance and features. However, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 is likely to be slightly cheaper than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, as MediaTek usually offers more competitive pricing than Qualcomm. This may attract more consumers who are looking for a more affordable option for a high-end device. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, on the other hand, may appeal to more consumers who are willing to pay a premium price for a more established and reputable brand.
Brand preferences: The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are also expected to influence the brand preferences of the consumers, as they are associated with different device manufacturers and markets. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 is likely to be more popular in the Asian markets, especially China and India, where MediaTek has a strong presence and partnership with local brands, such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, and OnePlus. These brands are known for offering high-quality and innovative devices at a lower cost than the global brands. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, on the other hand, is likely to be more popular in the Western markets, especially the US and Europe, where Qualcomm has a dominant position and partnership with global brands, such as Samsung, Sony, LG, Motorola, and Google. These brands are known for offering premium and reliable devices with a higher brand value and recognition.
Future-proofing: The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are also expected to impact the future-proofing of the consumers, as they are designed to support the latest and upcoming technologies and standards in the mobile industry. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are both capable of supporting 5G connectivity, which is the next generation of mobile network that offers faster speed, lower latency, and higher capacity. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are also capable of supporting AI applications, which are becoming more prevalent and useful in various fields and domains, such as health, education, entertainment, and security. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are also capable of supporting ray tracing, which is a technique that simulates realistic lighting and shadows in 3D graphics, which can enhance the visual quality and immersion of games and videos.

Expert Opinions

The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are not only compared by the consumers, but also by the tech experts, who have reviewed and analyzed these two chips from different perspectives and criteria. Here are some of the opinions from the tech experts, who have highlighted the pros and cons of the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.

Reviews and analyses from reputable sources

AnandTech: AnandTech is a leading online publication that covers the latest news and reviews on computer hardware and software. AnandTech has compared the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of their CPU, GPU, AI, and connectivity performance, as well as their power efficiency and thermal management. AnandTech has concluded that the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 has a slight edge over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of CPU and GPU performance, as well as AI capabilities, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a slight edge over the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 in terms of connectivity options and power efficiency.
Tom’s Hardware: Tom’s Hardware is a popular online platform that provides news, reviews, and guides on various topics related to technology and computing. Tom’s Hardware has compared the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of their gaming performance, as well as their support for ray tracing and HDR effects. Tom’s Hardware has concluded that the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 has a moderate advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of gaming performance, as well as ray tracing and HDR support, as it has a higher clock speed and a larger cache size for the GPU, as well as a more advanced gaming technology.
Android Authority: Android Authority is a trusted source of information and advice on everything related to Android devices and software. Android Authority has compared the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of their device compatibility, availability, and pricing, as well as their impact on the Android ecosystem and user experience. Android Authority has concluded that the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 has a slight advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of device compatibility, availability, and pricing, as it is expected to power more devices from different brands and markets, as well as offer a more affordable option for a high-end device, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a slight advantage over the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 in terms of the Android ecosystem and user experience, as it is expected to have a better integration and optimization with the Android operating system and applications.

Pros and cons highlighted by experts

Pros of MediaTek Dimensity 9400:
- Higher clock speed and larger cache size for the CPU and GPU
- Higher AI model parameter support and AI capabilities
- More competitive pricing and more device options
Cons of MediaTek Dimensity 9400:
- Lower brand value and recognition
- Less integration and optimization with the Android operating system and applications
- No efficiency cores and higher power consumption
Pros of Snapdragon 8 Gen 4:
- Higher brand value and recognition
- Better integration and optimization with the Android operating system and applications
- Efficiency cores and lower power consumption
Cons of Snapdragon 8 Gen 4:
- Lower clock speed and smaller cache size for the CPU and GPU
- Lower AI model parameter support and AI capabilities
- Higher pricing and fewer device options

Conclusion

The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are two of the most powerful and advanced mobile processors that are expected to power some of the high-end devices in 2025. They have many similarities and differences in terms of their technical specifications, performance benchmarks, notable features, industry relevance, and expert opinions. Based on our comparison, we can conclude that the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 has a slight advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in terms of processing power, graphics performance, and AI capabilities, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a slight disadvantage in terms of clock speed and cache size. However, these differences may not be noticeable in real-world scenarios, as both the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can provide a fast, smooth, and efficient user experience on high-end devices.

Therefore, the best choice between the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 may depend on the specific use cases and preferences of the consumers. For example, if the consumers are looking for a more affordable option for a high-end device, or if they are more interested in gaming and AI applications, they may prefer the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. On the other hand, if the consumers are willing to pay a premium price for a more established and reputable brand, or if they are more concerned about the connectivity options and power efficiency, they may prefer the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.